12 months before money problems lead to violence

Women experiencing multiple instances of money stress are three times more likely to become a victim of violence in the following 12 months, Australian research has found.

The study by UNSW Adjunct Professor Don Weatherburn shows that women who have experienced three or more instances of financial stress, are 3.5 times more likely to be a victim of violence within the next 12 months than women who have had no money problems.

Four or more instances of personal stress increased women's risk of being a victim of violence by almost three times.

Examples of personal stress included; being unable to pay bills, death of a spouse or loss of a job.

Dr Weatherburn, Director of the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, says while the link between stress and violence has long been known researchers had been "unable to tell the cause from effect". This research answers that question, he says.

The findings will be presented at the three-day 2013 Australian Social Policy Conference at UNSW on starting today.